confess, since that conversation with the penetrating Lovesworth, I have been anxiously desirous of an opportunity to join their hands, feeling assured that motives of delicacy alone keep Douglas from approaching."
The house as they drew near presented an appearance of quietude unusual for the season; the General therefore concluded his wife and daughter had returned to the Bower, and that the ladies inhabiting the place were absent from home: the door was opened by a female servant, whose looks might have foreboded bad intelligence had she not suddenly disappeared to inform her mistress, as the General supposed, of his being there. He meant but to stay half an hour, which would afford Oriana not only an introduction to the ladies but a salutary rest, ere he proceeded to rejoin his family at the Bower. The servant returning, with an air still involving mystery, conducted the General and Oriana into a large dining parlour, on the ground floor, saying one of the ladies would shortly attend them.
A quarter of an hour elapsed and no one had yet appeared; a sort of melancholy presentiment took possession of the General, which he tried to dissipate by viewing objects from the window: another long interval having passed, he feared, on account of Oriana's health, the night dews might fall ere he reached the Bower.
As he was thus reflecting, the door at last opened, and Mrs. Melbourne advanced. Her aspect, and the
